Referee David Webb had to be replaced after suffering a head injury during Leicester’s Premier League clash with Southampton. Play continued after the official fell to the floor after colliding with Foxes forward Jordan Ayew, prompting Jamie Vardy to take matters into his own hands.
The veteran former England international, who will leave Leicester at the end of the season, was the first to notice the stricken refeee and found Webb’s whistle. He blew on it to stop the match in the 28th minute. Leicester had broken away on a counter attack when Webb turned and ran into Ayew’s shoulder. Vardy made sure the 49-year-old was okay before leaving him to the medics who had run onto the pitch. The game was halted while Webb received treatment.
After failing a concussion test, he was replaced by fourth official Sam Barrott. There were 12 minutes between Webb suffering his injury and the match resuming, leading to a lengthy period of added time at the end of the first half.
As Webb walked away for further tests, fans jokingly chanted: “You’re not fit to referee!”
Less than 10 minutes before the incident, Vardy had given Leicester the lead with a trademark finish at the King Power Stadium.
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